title: Improving cardiovascular disease screening in community mental health centers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Increased mortality among the seriously mentally ill is largely due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). This applied research project examined a process of CVD screening at a community mental health center, then implemented and evaluated an improved process of identifying and managing CVD risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient records (n = 130) were reviewed at baseline and 6 months posteducational intervention and implementation of new monitoring tools.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analysis showed significant process improvement (p < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Advanced practice registered nurses can design and implement improved CVD screening to mitigate morbidity and mortality in the seriously mentally ill.
authors.affiliation: Human Development Center, Duluth, Minnesota, USA. mmaki@css.edu
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maki
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bjorklund
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult